Chapter 306
If a farmer has doubts or difficulties, he might consider visiting for guidance, but he would still take a moment to think and say he would be free in a few days.
“This…”
This scene left Old Han momentarily stunned.
“This is also what Zheng Shizhi thinks. He says that the Agricultural Guidance Office has its contributions, and everyone seems quite eager to help.”
Seeing their continued confusion, Uncle Pang chuckled, “Honestly, we don’t quite understand why either—Zheng Shizhi often likes to say that cultivating immortality is not such a shallow pursuit…”
Old Han and his companion remained puzzled.
“Zheng Shizhi also said that our foundation as immortals is rooted in the mortal realm. Mortals support cultivators, and thus cultivators have an obligation to assist mortals.”
“Anyway, it’s all just some unheard-of nonsense… We can’t really argue against it.”
Uncle Pang mumbled to himself.
Yan Wushuang glanced at Old Han, then at the figure in the distance surrounded by people—a cultivator who seemed out of place yet was wholeheartedly dedicated. He couldn’t help but think of the various scenes he had witnessed in the outside world.
He fell silent for a long time.
Until they reached University Island.
On University Island, Zheng Fa stood beside the sect leader, Sister Zhang, and others, welcoming Tongming Shangren.
Tongming Shangren had brought quite a few people along.
Most were Yuanying cultivators, but one person stood out for his peculiar behavior. He was young and not very powerful, only at the Qi Refinement stage, yet he stood quite close to the front.
This person kept his head down, seemingly too timid to look up in front of so many powerful figures.
But he couldn’t help it; he kept sneaking glances at Zheng Fa out of the corner of his eye.
“I heard this disciple from Qingmu Sect has a deep connection with you…”
Tongming Shangren suddenly seemed to remember something and pointed at the young man.
Zheng Fa looked at the timid Seventh Young Master and felt a mix of surprise and joy—he had been sending messages to the Seventh Young Master and hadn’t expected him to be brought here by Tongming Shangren.
He couldn’t help but smile, “This is an old friend of mine. I was worried about him not long ago.”
“Don’t worry, Sect Leader Zheng. Qingmu Sect has been relocating recently, so communication has been a bit difficult.”
Upon hearing the title “Sect Leader Zheng,” the Seventh Young Master blinked, his expression turning confused again—
It was as if he were dreaming.
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**Chapter 282: The Intent of Tongming, Arms Trade**
The Seventh Young Master stood behind Tongming Shangren, next to the leader of Qingmu Sect.
Behind him stood four or five Yuanying cultivators.
His head was bowed, his face toward the ground, projecting a pitiful, weak, and helpless demeanor.
Since parting ways with Zheng Fa and returning to his sect, he had been diligently cultivating, hardly stepping outside—until the Great Freedom Demon Sect attacked.
Qingmu Sect had always been close to Tongming Shangren and had managed to escape significant losses.
However… giving up their spiritual veins and foundation had severely weakened Qingmu Sect, and now, living under someone else's roof, anxiety ran rampant within the sect.
He and his sister held low positions within the sect, yet they had unwittingly become the backbone of the Zhao family, leaving them overwhelmed.
Fortunately, he was valued by his master, and their family had some connections within the Hundred Immortals Alliance. His sister was also quite adept at navigating social situations, and they had gradually managed to hold things together—but life was undeniably much harder than before.
Then, Tongming Shangren suddenly summoned him.
Without explaining anything, he simply took him out of the mountain gate.
As for why, he didn’t dare to ask!
On the way, he heard they were attending the grand ceremony of the Nine Mountains Sect, which made him quite happy—after all, the Great Freedom Demon Sect was right on the Nine Mountains’ territory, and he was a bit worried about Zheng Fa.
He thought that once they arrived at the Nine Mountains Sect, he would find an opportunity to see Zheng Fa.
But what did he hear?
“Sect Leader Zheng?”
What was this about not seeing someone for a day feeling like three hundred autumns…
At this point, he couldn’t pretend to be a quail any longer.
He stared blankly at Zheng Fa.
Zheng Fa found the expression on his face somewhat amusing.
He was also a bit pleased to see the Seventh Young Master, but this wasn’t the time for reminiscing; he was rather busy—there were far more attendees at the ceremony than he had anticipated.
In his mind, the grand ceremony should be quite simple—after all, the Nine Mountains Realm was in disarray, and University Island hadn’t been fully repaired yet. Zheng Fa was even less inclined to engage in superficial displays.
Currently, even the palace where the ceremony was held hadn’t been decorated, making it look rather shabby.
Yet, in this shabby hall, there gathered one Transformation Stage cultivator and nearly ten Yuanying cultivators!
He had thought the attendance would be minimal.
After all, the Nine Mountains Realm was unique; it was easy to get taken advantage of, and cultivators from the Xuanwei Realm were generally cautious. Moreover, the Nine Mountains Sect was distancing itself from the Hundred Immortals Alliance, clearly indicating they were playing their own game.
Unexpectedly…
Zheng Fa glanced at the smiling Tongming Shangren and then at the Yuanying cultivators behind him.
“Sect Leader Zheng, this is the leader of Qingmu Sect.”
“And this one is…”
Tongming Shangren cheerfully introduced each person to Zheng Fa. These individuals were either leaders of sects within the Hundred Immortals Alliance or elders from various sects.
This group didn’t even seem to have been invited by Zheng Fa’s master; it felt somewhat like they had come uninvited…
Especially Tongming Shangren—Zheng Fa knew that when his master took office, Tongming Shangren hadn’t even shown up!
When they looked at him, their eyes held a hint of curiosity, as if they were probing or assessing, yet they acted very warmly.
As a Transformation Stage cultivator, Tongming Shangren showed no airs, always smiling, and not at all bothered by Zheng Fa and the others distancing themselves from the Hundred Immortals Alliance; in fact, he seemed quite affectionate.
Zheng Fa heard him say to his master with a smile, “I always knew Sect Leader Zheng was exceptionally talented, but I didn’t expect you to let go of Yuan Zhenren so soon—looks like Sect Leader Zheng is even more remarkable than I imagined.”
This sounded…
A bit like flattery!
Zheng Fa couldn’t help but feel alert.
Tongming Shangren, being a Transformation Stage cultivator, was acting in a way that was truly puzzling.
To come here was already a gesture of goodwill.
Moreover, he dared to enter the Nine Mountains Realm.
After all, the Blood River Ancestor’s life treasure was still buzzing under the Sun and Moon Bell.
Noticing Zheng Fa’s unusual expression, Tongming Shangren calmly said, “The Great Freedom Demon Sect is powerful. Our Hundred Immortals Alliance has had a friendship with the Nine Mountains for tens of thousands of years; now, we should watch over and assist each other.”
“What do you mean by that…”
“Our Hundred Immortals Alliance is currently retreating, but it’s only to wait for the right moment…” Tongming Shangren continued, “I have sent a message to the Taishang Dao, requesting assistance.”
“You have connections with the Taishang Dao?”
“I have received a lineage inheritance from the Taishang Dao, so I have some ties with them.”
Indeed!
Zheng Fa’s eyes flickered. The Hundred Immortals Alliance, despite its current state, still had some backbone to call itself the Sixth Sect of Xuanwei!
What surprised Zheng Fa even more was the Taishang Dao…
He had seen Xue Zhenchuan from the Taishang Dao, but there weren’t many disciples in the Taishang Dao.
To be precise, Taishang was one of the more mysterious lineages among the Five Sects of Xuanwei, with few disciples walking the Xuanwei realm. Who would have thought that Tongming Shangren had connections with them?
Or perhaps, the Hundred Immortals Alliance had some semblance of a branch of the Taishang Dao?
The hidden influence of the Five Sects of Xuanwei was likely greater than Zheng Fa had imagined.
The Demon Sect seemed to be placing spies everywhere, which appeared to be quite a large-scale operation.
But compared to the Taishang Dao, which had the audacity to establish a Transformation Stage sect, it paled in comparison.
Seeing that Zheng Fa seemed to understand, Tongming Shangren smiled and said, “The Hundred Immortals Alliance was previously a mixed bag, but now I can’t tolerate it any longer. I have my ways to clean up those people…”
“Does Sect Leader Zheng have any intention of rejoining the Hundred Immortals Alliance?”
“Now that you and Zhan Zhenren are nearly equivalent to Transformation Stage cultivators, no one would dare to look down on you.”
Tongming Shangren’s words left Zheng Fa momentarily silent.
It seemed that Tongming Shangren had come this time specifically for this matter.
To be honest, if he had heard this before, Zheng Fa might have been tempted—
After all, the Taishang Dao was a significant ally.
Tongming Shangren was also keen on reorganizing the Hundred Immortals Alliance.
But now…
Zheng Fa raised his eyes and saw that Tongming Shangren had already turned his attention to his master and Sister Zhang, smiling as if waiting for their opinions.
What he didn’t expect was that his master and Sister Zhang looked at Zheng Fa, remaining silent, as if leaving the decision entirely up to him.
Tongming Shangren’s eyes showed some surprise. He turned to Zheng Fa, and the polite demeanor in his eyes diminished, replaced by a much more serious expression.
It seemed that although he referred to Zheng Fa as the sect leader, he hadn’t anticipated that Zheng Fa could truly make unilateral decisions.
Even though the Nine Mountains Realm was under Zheng Fa’s control.
The way the Nine Mountains Sect was united as one… made people ponder even more about Zheng Fa.
“Your kindness is appreciated.” Zheng Fa thought for a moment and said, “But I and Sister Zhang are still somewhat lacking in strength, even if we are considered Transformation Stage cultivators… Right now, we only have the power to protect ourselves, with no ability to advance…”
“I truly can’t take the risk…”
Tongming Shangren was somewhat speechless.
He had heard that Sect Leader Zheng was quite young, yet he showed no youthful bravado, starting off with a concession!
Disappointment flickered across his face.
Then Zheng Fa continued, “But the Demon Sect is a threat to everyone, and our Nine Mountains Sect has been occupied by them, so we are certainly willing to contribute our share!”
“Hmm?”
“Does the Hundred Immortals Alliance need any spiritual talismans?”
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